Universal drive



March 18,1941. c. s. HARRIS I UNIVERsAL DRIVE Filed June 19, 1940 ATTORNE? Patented Man/1%; 1941 l n UNITED ISTATES- PATENT. OFFICE UNIVERSAL DRIVE Clifford B. Harris, Weehawken, N. assigner to Condenser Servicey & Engineering Co., Inc., Hoboken, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 19, 1940, Serial No. 341,226 6 Claims. (Cl. 711-385) This invention relates to what might be termed Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing an# drives or couplings, and particularly to the uniother modification. 1 versally adjustable drives or couplings ofthis In referring to my improved device as a unitype and kind, adapting the same for innumerversal, drive or coupling, it will be understood able uses; and the object of the invention is to that this drive may be utilized in constant and 5 provide a drive comprising two similar 0r subr intermittent power drives, and also as a means stantially similar casing parts, each supporting for transmitting rotary movement from one point a shaft member upon which is disposed a'gear to another point in the construction of reach with means for coupling the two casing parts torods, extension shafts, remote valve controls, and gether with an intermediate gear disposed within many other uses and installations of this type 10 and between the casing partsgmeshing with said and ikind, as well as in providing a drive beshaft gears to place both shafts in direct operatween two or more shafts angularly adjustable tive engagement with each other, the casing one with respect to the other; and in fact, adparts being adjustable 360 to each other in projustable within 360 to each other. By mountviding full universal adjustment between the ing the casings of the drive in different angular 15 drive shaft and the driven shaft 0f the device; positions; that is to say, with the axis of ro'taa further object being to provide a. device of the tion of the casings disposed vertically, horizonclass described wherein a frictional drive may tally, or at any desired angle, itis possible to be provided between the drive and the driven provide a drive between two shafts disposed at shafts, and further wherein a single drive shaft substantially any angle to each other. 20 may actuate two or more driven shafts disposed In certain adaptations of the invention the in any desired relationship to each other and drive shaft may transmit power output to two to the drive shaft; a still further object being to driven shafts having a fixed relationshinto each provide means for substantially sealing the casing other governed lby the particular arrangement parts and further to provide means for keying and structure of the casing part in which the two 25 the casing parts against relative rotation to driven shafts are arranged. At this time it will maintain fixed adjustments of the shafts one with also be apparent that in referring to drive shafts, respect to the other; a still further object being it will be understood that these shafts may be to provide means for supporting each of the of any desired construction; and in some incasing parts in connection with a predetermined stances, the universal drive may be employed be- 30 support or supports; and with these and other tween two mechanisms where the shaft factor is objects in view, the invention consists ina drive only incidental to the Support 0f members t0 be of the class and for the purpose specied, which driven and not necessarily long reaching shafts is simple in construction and operation, efas more conventionally used in couplings of the cient in use, and which is constructed as hereingeneral type and kind under consideration. after more fully described and claimed. In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I The invention is fully disclosed in the followprovide two substantially similar casing parts ing specification, of which the accompanying l0, Illa, and these parts are of identical construc' drawing forms a part, inwhich the separate parts tion. Therefore, the brief description of one 4Q of my improvement-are designated by suitable will apply to both. Each casing part comprises 40 reference characters in each of the views; and a substantially cup-shaped body ll having a in which: central bearing portion l2 around which is a gear Fig. 1 is a plan and sectional yview of one form chamber I3, The bearing portion i2 extends of device made according to my invention. beyond the outer surface of the cup-shaped part Fig. 2 is a section substantially on the line proper to `form a seat for the head ld of a bolt g5 2-2 of Fig. 1. I5 as well as a nut i6 at the other end thereof.

Fig. 3 is ai SeCtOIial VeW through a modified This bolt is utilized to couple the two casing parts form 0f device Showmg parts m a dliierent positogether as weil as to form an axis upon which a tion' and showing a frictional drive. duplex beveled gear il is rotatably mounted. Flg. 4 1S- a View Slmllal t0 F1a. 1 Showing an,- In the construction shown, the gear l1 com- 50 0ther modlatonprises two beveled gears lla', l'lb, which are Fig. 5 is a sectional View through two casing welded or otherwise secured together, thus gears parts omitting the shafts and gears illustrating of stock construction, can be used. It will be a method of adjustably coupling the case parts; apparent, however, that specially constructed and, i gears of this type and kind may be employed. c5

shaped casing part II is a large bearing portion I8 terminating in its outer face in a vertical flange I 9 which is of greater width than the bearing I8 and has angularly extending web or ange portions 20 united with the cup-shaped casing II as clearly indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

'I'he flanges I9 and 20 have apertures I9a and 20a to receive bolts or other fastening devices in providing different attachments ofthe casings to one or more supports as will be apparent. The bearings I8 are provided with large bores or passages 2I, note Fig. 2, in which are keyed bushings or bearing members 22 as seen at 23 which form supports for two shafts `24, 24a, one of which will constitute a drive shaft and the other a driven shaft, as well-as to retain beveled pinions 25, 25a, against outward displacement fromthe casings in maintaining alinement of these pinions with the beveled gears I'Ia, I'Ib, respectively. It will also appear that the inner ends of the shafts 24, 24a have supports in the bearing portions I2 as-is indicated at 26.

It will further appear from the foregoing that the shafts, including the beveled pinions, will constitute integral parts of each of the similar casings; and in separating these casings the beveled gear I1 may be freely detached from either of the casing parts; it being thus apparent that assemblage and disassemblage of the parts is materially simplified. Adjacent surfaces of the cupshaped parts II are provided with grooves 21 in which are arranged a key and sealing ring 28 which serves to maintain alinement of the casing parts as well as to seal abutting surfaces of the casing parts, thereby' making it possible to pack the chambers I3 with lubricant. If desired, conventional stuing boxes may be employed between the bearings-22 and the shafts 24, 24a, as will be apparent. With the structure shown in Fig. 1, it will be apparent that the casing part Illa may be adjusted with respect to the casing part I throughout the entire circumference of the axis I5. In other words, this adjustment may be from a position of the shafts 24, 24a parallel and one above the other extending in the same direction to any other position; for example, the angular position illustrated in Fig. 1.

Due to the irregular section line, the illustration in Fig. 2 gives the effect of 180 adjustment, which is one of many possible adjustments. It will, of course, be apparent that either shaft 24, 24a, may be the relatively fixed shaft and the other, including its casing part, adjustable with respect to it. Furthermore, instead of arranging the parts with the shafts in horizontal position as viewed in the drawing, these shafts may be disposed vertically or at any desired angle or inclination. Where supports are provided for rigidity at the coupling, these supports may be coupled to the apertured flange portions as will be apparent. f

In some instances, particularly where a driven shaft, or even the drive shaft, is subjectlto oscillation, the casing supporting. this shaft will be ileft free to oscillate around the axis I5 as will be apparent. It is also possible that in some instances, oscillatory movement would be desirable between both shafts, in which event means will be provided for yieldably or otherwise supporting, and if necessary, guiding the axis I5.

It will also be apparent that my invention is by no means restricted to any type of drive between the shafts as this may be varied to suit different types and kinds of installations.

2,235,427 .Extending laterallyv from one side of the cup- For example, in Fig. 3 of the drawing, one simple method of forming a friction drive between a structure which is substantially identical to the structure shown in,Figs. 1 and 2, will reside in maintaining the beveled gear members Ila, I'Ib, unattached with respect to each other and disposing a friction disc or ring 29 between adjacent surfaces of said gears, and in enlarging slightly upon one of the bearings I2 to form a seat and socket for a coil spring 30 bearing against a washer 3l to urge the gears Ila, Ilb in constant engagement with each other. In this construction the shafts 24 and 24a. are shown arranged in a different angular position to each other, but otherwise the structure in Fig. 3 is substantially similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, bearing in mind that thel casing part Illa is of slightly different construction from that shown in the other figures, whereas the casing part IIl would be identical with the part I 0 shown in said other figures.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing is shown another adaptation of the invention; and in this ligure I 0 represents a casing part similar in all respects to the part I0 in Figs. 1 and 2, including the shaft I2 and the other parts. The beveled gear is indicated in dotted lines at 25. At Ib is shown a modied form of ,casing having two oppositely extending bearing portions I8a and vI8b; the bearing portion I 8a including the flanges ISb,

bearing portion I8?) is unanged. Arranged in the bearing IBa is one driven shaft 32 having a beveled pinion 33 meshing with the beveled gear part I'Ib, which is identical to the part I'Ib of Figs. 1 and 2, or to the corresponding part shown in Fig. 3.l

At 32a is shown a supplemental driven shaft, arranged in the bearing portion I8b and having a beveled pinion 33a also operating upon the gear part I'Ib. It will thus be apparent that from the drive shaft as at 24, two outputs or driven shafts 32, 32a, disposed in alinement with each other may be simultaneously driven. In the present construction both of the shafts 32, 32a, and the gears 33, 33a are of the same construction, but it will be apparent that different size gears and different size shafts may be provided. Furthermore, it will be understood that the two shafts may be disposed in different angular relationships to each other' to suit predetermined requirements. Thus it will only be necessary to produce casing parts I 0b, universally usable on casing parts like IIJ, in accommodating different types and kinds of installations or drive. In many instances the various parts will be standardized in order to maintain low manufacturing costs.

At this time it is well to mention that the universal coupling drive may be constructed on a very small scale as well as on large scales; and in the different uses, various types of driving mediums between the shafts may be employed. It will further be understood that in many instances the casing parts may be of a special construction, and this would be particularly true when a large number of such parts are constructed to meet one specification in predetermined installations.

In Fig. 5 of .the drawing I have diagrammatically illustrated one method of adjustably keying the. casing parts one with respect to the other to prevent relative movement between these parts and .Ito provide relatively ne adjustments throughout 4the entire 360 of relative adjustment between the casing parts. In Fig. 5 two casing parts Illc :and Illd are shown, all of the mechanism pling screws associated therewith being omitted with the exception of the key and sealing ring 34, which is arranged in the grooved portions on abutting surfaces of the casing parts. -In the present construction, the ring 34 has laterally projecting and circumferentially spaced teeth 36 engaging corn responding teeth 31 in the grooves 35. In this way both `casing parts may have a fine adjustment with respect to the ring in maintaining the shafts in distinct angular relationship to each4 other, It will, of course, be apparent that in some instances, one side of the ring 34 may be just keyed .to one casing, and the other casing will have teeth registering with corresponding teeth on the other side of the ring. However, when both casing parts are of identical construc" tion, the double-tooth ning shown is desirable. In other instances, where limited and predetermined adjustments are desirable between the two casing parts, these adjustments may be accomplished by other keying means as will be apparent. l

In Fig. 6 of the drawing is illustrated at Ille and lllf portions of two other casing pants which differentiate from the structure shown in theA other figures primarily in dispensing with the axis I5 as a bolt and coupling between the casing parts and in provi-ding sockets 38 in the bearing portions 12b for receiving -the ends of a stub sha-ft arranged between the casing parts forming an axis similar to the bolt axis l5 and in providing circumferentially spaced lugs 33 on the casing parts I0e, I0f, to receive clamping or cou- Mlfor securing the casing parts together. These screws may be passed through coupling flanges with a predetermined spacing of apertures to provide certain adjustments between the casing parts. This type of construction, however, would be more suitable for the highly standardized arrangements vbetween drive and driven shafts.

It will also be apparent that in the several forms o-f construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive that the axis upon which the beveled gears Ila, I'lb are arranged may tfarm al positive driving axis with at least one o1 these gears by simply keying the gear to the axi-s. Thus this axis may be utilized as a driving means for the laterally extending shafts in providing two or more angularly dis-posed outputs in the for-m of driven shafts. It will also be apparent that in the several illustrations disclosed, suitable bearings are provided and such bearing-s are omitted in order to simplify the present illustrations. The use of special bearing-s would only be desirable in the constant drives. Where intermittent drives are employed and where the invention is applicable to reach rods, valve operating rods, and the like, the question of bearings is not an important factor except in providing ease o-f operation and in reducing frictional engagement.

Having fully described lmy invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A universal drive of the class described comprising two cup-shaped casing partsof substantially similar construction, a radially extending bearing on each casing part, other' bearings oentrally of said part-s, a shaft mounted in both bearings of each part, a beveled pinion on said shaft within the casing part, means coupling the casing parts together to form a large chamber centrally thereof into which the beveled pinions of each shaft extends, a dual beveled gear arranged in said chamber and operatively engaging said pinions in providing positive driving connection between said shafts, and means adju-stably lcoupling said casing parts with respect to the axis of said dual beveled gear in providing different angular relation-ships of the shafts one with respect to the other while maintaining drive connection between said shafts through said dual beveled gear.

2,. A coupling of the class described comprising two casing parts, means ,detachably and adjustably coupling said parts, each part having apentral hub portion for the axis of rotary adjustment of the parts one with respect'to the other,y each casing having a radial tubular extension, a shaft for mounting in each casing part toform of one shaft a drive shaft and the other a driven shaft, means in the hub portion and tubular extension of each part forming abearing for the shaft arranged therein, means within the casing parts when assembled forming a drive connection between the driv shaft and the driven shaft, one of said casing parts having another tubular extension arranged angularly with respect to the rst extension thereof, a shaft having a bearing in said'last named extension and the hub portion of said `casing part, and means establishing driving connection between thelast named shaft and said first mentioned shafts.

3. A coupling of the class described comprising a drive shaft and a driven shaft, a driving means on said shafts, means independently supporting said shafts and for coupling adjacent ends of the shafts to provide circumferential adjustment about an intermediate axis through 360 with respect to each other, means located on said axis providing and maintaining a driving connection between the driving means on said shafts throughout the entire range of relative adjust ment between said shafts and said last named means comprising means forming a friction drive between said driving means.

4. A universal drive of the class described comprising two substantially similar hollow casing parts, each casing part having a central apertured hub portion extending into the chamber of said part, a bolt arranged in said hub portions for coupling said parts ytogether and to form an axis for rotary adjustment of the parts one withv respect to the other, said hub portions providing bearings, each casing part having an outwardly and radially extending tubular portion with a bearing mounted in said tubular portion, a shaft arranged in both bearings of each casing part, a gear on each shaft within its casing part, a double gear on said axis and within the chamber of the casing parts operatively engaging both of the first named gears for placing said shafts in operative connection with each other, and means including said axis for adjustably coupling the casing parts to dispose the shafts thereof in different positions of adjustment one with respect to the other while maintaining driving connections between' said shafts. l

5. A universal drive of the class described coming parts, each part having a tubular hub portion forming a central bearing and an outwardly projecting radial tubular; portion, a shaft arranged in each casing part, the inner end of the shaft fitting in a radial aperture formed in the hub prising two substantially similar cup-shaped casfor detachably coupling said casing palts, said last named means forming a central axis, a double-faced gear arranged on said axis and in operative connection with the gears on said shafts for placing said shafts in direct operative connection with each other, the outside dimensions of the gears on said shafts being less than the inside dimensions of said tubular extension whereby the gears assembled on the shafts may be inserted into and out of the casing parts through said tubular extension, and means .detachably coupling the bearings of said extension and for keying the same thereto.

6. A universal drive of the class described comprising two substantially similar hollow casingparts, each casing part having a central apertured hub portion extending into the chamber of sai-d part, a bolt arranged in said hub portions for coupling said parts together and to form an axis for rotary adjustment of the parts one with respect to the other, said hub portions providing bearings, each casing part having an outwardly and radially extending tubular portion with a bearing mounted in said tubular portion, a shaft arranged in both bea'rings of each casing part, a gear on each shaft within its casing part, a double gear` on said axis and within the chamber of the casing parts operatively engaging both of the first named gears for placing said shafts in operative connection with each other, means including said axis for adjustably coupling the casing parts to dispose the shafts thereof in different positions of adjustment one with respect to the other while maintaining driving connections between said shafts, and mounting flanges on said casing parts for independently supporting each casing part in different positions of adjustment thereof.

CLIFFORD B. HARRIS. 

